When the first African-American was elected to become the Commander in Chief of the U.S., most Americans were proud, and it marked a critical moment in history not only for people of color, but for the nation itself. On one hand, this time demonstrated the progress that has been made since the days of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. However, many wonder whether the "Age of Obama" has also had a negative effect on people of color. One day I had a discussion with one of my Professors, and he explained that many white Americans were eager to elect an African-American president in order to rectify past wrongdoing and deal away with the "race" issue. Along with the "Age of Obama" came America's self-proclaimed "Post-Racial society" where discussions of race are seen as politically incorrect and even irrelevant to many. This could pose a problem, especially considering that there are still many disparities among ethnic minorities that could potentially get worse when ignored and overlooked. What do you think? Does presenting America as a "Post-Racial Society" benefit all Americans equally? Are issues pertaining to people of color gradually being ignored because of this new "Post-Racial society" or is there little to no difference? Does the positive impact of the "Age of Obama" outweigh the negative (if it exists)?
"Post racial". Yes, where white America is concerned and even among the "elite" of the black race. But the black proletariat feels the anger of right wing white Anglo-Saxon wasp's. As proud as I am that this black man is elected, He is not considered by white America to be from us. He is "African and white" they say so as to disassociate him from the slave experience (I don't expect white America to ever elect a former slave as president). Obama himself has accepted, indeed carved out for himself a place among the former slave here in America and even taken for himself a wife from among us, something that former slaves seeking to rise in the slave masters domain hadn’t do. They associate success with marring white. I put it like that, in those terms, because that I believe, is how we are seen by white America.
ReplyDeleteBetween his election and his Inauguration More black men was slaughter by police across our country than at other 2-3 month period. They were killed hand cuffed and laying on their belly, sitting on their front stoop and on their way to work as a armed security guard. This expressed the anger of the right wing in this country and these murders were the one publicized nationally.
Should we say now that we have arrived now because white folks say we have? Or are we finally to speak for ourselves and determine, for ourselves what is good for us and what isn’t. Obama isn’t the black President and isn’t trying to be. He is the President. White folks have always always feared that when we come to power, we will treat them as they treated us and even though they may deserve it, that’s not what we’ll do because that’s not who we are. We will instead, show them how to do it right..whatever it is. That’s what they fear most. That we will fix..Correct the problems they created and they are forever in the debt of a Blackman, God forbid. So they lie, sneak, filibuster and do everything they can to stall the President if not stop him. For political reasons they will deny health care to those who need it, continue to let those who make billions on the backs of the people, make even more and yes bring the country to the brink of default to defeat this “ arab-african born Muslim in the white house.
The Obama age is the age of darkness and confusion. The kind that exist just before the light comes on or before everything goes pitch black. If he gets another term, he can fix this thing of ours. If he doesn’t, then we are doomed black and white.. together..Finally.